Hyderabad Vegetable Dum Biryani | Authentic Dum Biryani Recipe

Biryanis are a set of rice varieties made with Basmati rice and vegetables, flavoured with aromatic spices and nuts and most importantly slow-cooked so that the flavours blend excellently. The Persian word 'Birian' refers to 'Roasted before cooking'. Vegetables are roasted and rice is par-cooked first and then layered and slow-cooked on a Dum. The cooking method of Biryani originated in Persia. All authentic Biryanis are essentially cooked using a special technique called 'Dum Pukht', which is steam-cooking in a sealed Claypot, on a very low fire, thus retaining the maximum nutrition and allowing the flavours to infuse into the Biryani. This Hyderabad Dum Biryani is a Mughlai food and the Mughal cuisine is known for its richness and exotic use of spices, dried fruits and nuts together with lots of milk or cream. They cooked each meal grand and to have a balance, reduced the number of meals in a day. Though the process of Dum cooking may seem to be elaborate and time-consuming, trust me, once you have tried this recipe and tasted the delectable Biryani, you would never cook an authentic Biryani using other Shortcut methods..The Hyderabad Dum Biryani was a superhit with my family and friends and the feedback I got was that it tasted out of the world and way beyond comparison with any other Rice delicacies. Do try and see for yourself!

Blogging Marathon 89- Wk2, Day2

Theme - One-pot meals

Preparation time - 15mins

Cooking time - 1hr

Serves - 6

Nellikai Sadam | Amla Rice Recipe

Amla or Indian gooseberry is considered to be a 'Kaya-Kalpa' berry, according to Ayurveda. It has all the six tastes viz, sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent which are essential for a healthy diet. Amla is said to increase the life-force or the 'Prana Shakthi' and is Sattvic in nature which is soothing to the brain. An Amla a day provides all the essential nutrients to the body. Rich in Vitamin C, Amla rejuvenates the cells, strengthens the organ systems and tones up the tissues. No wonder, it plays a vital role in Diabetic diet too. Coming up today is an easy recipe for Amla Rice / Nellikai Sadam which is suitable for Diabetics. My kids like to have it for their Lunch box as well. 

Puliyodarai | Temple-style Iyengar Puliyodarai Recipe | Rice Variety

During my growing-up years, picnic was like a magical word and since we plan for it very rarely, say, once or twice a year only, we kids used to eagerly await for such short outings. Mom had a picnic set comprising of a set of cups, plates and spoons, all enclosed in a cute, compact carrier. Iam reminiscing how happy I had felt when she used to take it out from the attic a day before we set on a picnic. I used to help wash it and keep it ready for the next day. We fill up 'Milton' Cooler with cold water and what a joy to have a family day-out with cousins! As most of my childhood was spent at Trichy, our favourite picnic spot was the famous 'Mukkombu' which is a dam constructed across the river Cauvery. It still stands as a beautiful picnic spot for people in and around Trichy. Needless to say, our menu for such picnics would be this Puliyodarai and curd rice with 'Vadaams' or papads. This recipe is from my mom's diary in which she had mentioned 'Temple-style recipe' specifically. Though I love my MIL's instant, no-grind Puli Saadam equally, I would share this famous 'Iyengar Puliyodarai' for my second day of Blogging Marathon under the theme Picnic Hampers. 

Preparation time - 5mins
Cooking time - 20mins
Yields - 1cup Pulikaichal paste